Concrete Anchor Helps Restore Historical Barn

The structural integrity of a UK barn built in the 14th century was compromised, and engineers decided that a Cintec concrete anchoring system would solve the problem.

Hartpury Tithe Barn Image 2 (3)
Cintec International Ltd

It is estimated that there are roughly 200 medieval barns surviving today in England. The Hartpury Tithe Barn, located in Gloucestershire, is one of the largest. It measures 161 ft. by 36 ft. and features a winged dragon as a finial at one end of the roof facing England with a couchant lion on the other end facing Wales. One of the two original porches remain, both featuring finials as well. Evidence shows that the broken porch had likely been rebuilt during the barn's history. Hartpury Tithe Barn Image 3 2Cintec International Ltd

Settlement and rotation from alterations to the adjacent ground had compromised the structural integrity of one of the main arches proudly standing over one of the main entrances. John Topp of O'Brien and Price, structural engineers undertook a full survey and devised a solution using Cintec anchors to eliminate issues caused by the movement of the wall. 

The Hartpury Barn isn't technically a "tithe" barn. According to britianexpress.com, a tithe barn was meant for the storage of tithe only. Instead, the structure was built in the 14th century to hold the estate's produce, not just the tithe. 

While twisted, the arch was ambitiously flat. Over the years, movement of the wall at the springing had destabilized the catch to the extent that hinges formed at the quarter point and at the apex. Timber was temporarily put in place to support the failing arch while the anchors were installed.

Hartpury Tithe Barn Image 6Cintec International Ltd

The structural specialist contractor Falcon Structural Repairs Ltd. of Bristol drilled and installed two 5+ meter-long Cintec anchors through the failed arch stones using 55-mm (diameter) mining barrels.

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